refract(rif RAKT) vt. 1. to cause a ray of light to bend, as it does when passing
obliquely from one medium to another of different density; 2. to measure the
degree of bending of a ray of light
- When white light refractsthrough a triangular prism, it separates into the
colors of the rainbow. - An ophthalmologist or optometrist refractsone’s eyes to determine the
proper curvature for corrective lenses.
[-ed, -ing, -ion, n.]
refute(rif YOOT) vt. 1. to prove to be wrong; 2. to prove incorrect by argument
or evidence - Mr. Brown’s fingerprints and gloves, found at the scene of the crime, refute
his contention that he was never there. - It is the defense attorney’s job to refutethe prosecutor’s case so that the
defendant will be found not guilty.
[-d, refuting, refutable adj., refutably adv.] [Syn. disprove]
regale(ri GAYL) vt. 1. to entertain with a great feast; 2. to delight with some-
thing enjoyable or amusing - The opulent party thrower regaledhis guests with champagne, caviar, and
truffled pâté. - The audience at the Mayfair Theater last night was regaledby a confection
of music and dance.
[-d, regaling]
regurgitate(ri GOER ji TAYT) vt. 1. to cause to flow backward, notably from
the stomach to the mouth; 2. to give back information that has been only partially
digested - Those who go to a party with an upset stomach are likely to regurgitateany
and all refreshments they partake of. - Some teachers ask their students to regurgitatewhat they have learned on
exams rather than to apply the knowledge in a meaningful way.
[-d, regurgitating, regurgitation n.] [Syn. vomit]
reiterate (ree IT er AYT) vt. to say or do again or repeatedly - If your mother has told you once, she’s reiteratedit 1,000 times: Keep your
elbows off the table! - Those who have not learned the lessons of history are doomed to reiterate
them.
[-d, reiterating] [Syn. repeat]
relapse(ree LAPS) vt. to slip or fall back into a former condition, disease, or bad
habit, especially after improvement —n.the act of having a relapse or a recurrence - After years of successfully fighting her compulsion to gamble, Norma
relapsedat the Kentucky Derby. - Just as Carlos seemed ready to be released from intensive care, he suffered
a relapse.
[-d, relapsing]
R: SAT Words 199